FOOTBALL: Holbeach United ready for return to action

Sports editor Mark Lea

Seven games will set up the new season for Holbeach United – starting on Friday night at Bourne Town.

The Tigers’ first friendly this summer has been brought forward from the original date on Saturday.

We’ll look at different shapes and formations but this pre-season should be an easier transition with many of last term’s squad staying on. We’re looking forward to it.

Tom Roberts

They have added another warm-up match at Crowland Town on Tuesday.

Holbeach also head to Oakham United on July 16 with home games against Great Yarmouth Town (July 23), Whittlesey Athletic (July 26), Stamford (July 30) and Spalding United (August 2).

Boss Tom Roberts said: “We had orginally planned a double-header with the first team and reserves at Bourne on Saturday but a few players are unavailable so it makes sense for us to play on Friday night.

“The lads will get around 45 minutes or a maximum of an hour each to start gelling together.

“We’ll look at different shapes and formations but this pre-season should be an easier transition with many of last term’s squad staying on. We’re looking forward to it.”

Meanwhile, Roberts has named former Holbeach player Martyn Cundy as his assistant.

Matt Warfield continues in his role as player-coach, Simon Dougill remains as goalkeeper coach and physio Julian Holland joins from Bourne.

Roberts added: “It has taken a while to confirm my management team as I had a specific type of person in mind.

“It was important that they all have connections to the club and feel at home – Martyn was a player here for many years and knows the Holbeach way.

“Since being manager at Moulton Harrox, he had a few offers to come back into local football but he felt the only club for him would be Holbeach.”

Holbeach were handed another boost as striker Jordan Thomas opted to stay despite offers from Spalding and Lincoln United.

Roberts said: “We missed him at the end of last season when he was injured and it’s a good signing to keep him here.”